A pensioner has appeared in court with two other men in connection with the theft of nearly £200,000 of fertiliser.

Edward Anthony Edwards, 73, of Maerdy, Corwen, Denbighshire, is charged with handling stolen goods in relation to the theft from a Wirral cargo-handling firm.

Barry Sargent, of Kenilworth Road, Wallasey, was charged with stealing 26 loads of urea fertiliser worth £194,747.86 from NW Trading, based in Cavendish Wharf, Birkenhead, over a 19-month period.

The 36-year-old was accused of carrying out the theft between March 1 2012 and October 10 last year, while employed by the firm.

He was joined in the dock at Birkenhead Magistrates Court by Edwards and Terance Duggan, 59 of Gorsey Lane, Bold, St Helens.

Both men were charged with handling stolen goods in connection with the theft over the same period of time.

Edwards’ charge alleged that he “dishonestly undertook or assisted in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation” of 26 loads of stolen fertiliser that belonged to Colin Littler of NW Trading at the firm’s Cavendish Wharf premises by or for the benefit of Sargent, or dishonestly arranged to do so.

Duggan was charged with handling fertiliser stolen from NW Trading at an address on Gorsey Lane, St Helens, by or for the benefit of Edwards.

All three men spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and date of births in a short hearing at the Birkenhead court this morning.

Solicitors for the three men indicated their clients intended to plead not guilty to the charges.

Chairman of the bench Alistair Beere then transferred the case to Liverpool Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on May 23.

Duggan was released on unconditional bail until that time.

Edwards was bailed on the condition he does not enter Cavendish Quay, Duke Street, Birkenhead, while Sargent was released on bail with two conditions – not to enter Cavendish Quay and not to enter any premises operated by NW Trading other than by prior appointment.